United We Row

Grants

The vision of this grant is to make rowing more accessible, competitive, and diverse, and we invite USRowing member organizations to apply. This grant program encourages creative projects and initiatives that align with increasing diversity and opening boathouse doors to athletes traditionally underrepresented in our sport. USRowing provides two types of grants:

Community Impact Grants: These are for rowing organizations with a proven diversity, equity, and inclusion track record. They have existing programs and are looking to enhance their impact.
Endeavor Grants: Organizations with the passion, solid idea, and detailed plan to launch an initiative to make their program more accessible, inclusive, and diverse will be a good fit for this grant.

Please check back for the 2025 United We Row Grants Townhall, which will take place in early April.

Financial & Community Support

Selected organizations receive grants aimed at impacting communities through rowing. The application process involves submitting a detailed proposal, including a budget and narrative, plans to address challenges to participation, basic information on their organization, leadership and staff, sustainability plan, and, most importantly, the program's impact. USRowing seeks information on that impact and metrics, including athlete demographics, retention rates, and social-emotional learning (SEL) outcomes.

Rowing organizations are welcome to propose both new and existing projects that align with the goal of making rowing more diverse and inclusive. The grants will support each organization with up to $10,000 and include ongoing support via the USRowing staff and fellow grantee cohort.

For an overview of the program, please listen to our 2024 United We Row Grants Town Hall here.

Eligibility

Current USRowing organizational member compliant with USRowing policies.
501c3 Organization
Agree to submit two grantee reports, attend Zoom meetings, submit photos and testimonials, and participate in up to two USRowing leadership meetings.
Complete a post-grant survey.

Selection Process & Criteria

A diverse selection committee made up of staff and volunteers will review the United We Row Grant Program Applications. Organizations and their initiatives will be evaluated based on the impact and sustainability of the program and the alignment with USRowing’s core pillars: experience, inclusion, and competition.

FAQs

Who makes up the selection committee for the United We Row Impact Program?

The selection committee comprises USRowing staff focused on United We Row and volunteers from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Board of Directors, and the USRowing Foundation who are committed to promoting access and inclusion within the rowing community.

How will applications be evaluated?

Applications will be evaluated using a rubric based on key criteria, including alignment with USRowing’s Organizational Objectives, Accessibility and Impact, Sustainability and Growth, Representation, and Leadership.

What is the range of grant amounts available?

Grants awarded through the United We Row Impact Program will go up to $10,000, providing financial support to rowing programs committed to fostering diversity and inclusion.

What types of programs are eligible to apply for the grant?

Eligible programs must hold 501c3 non-profit status, be in good standing with USRowing’s policies, and demonstrate a clear commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the sport of rowing. Whether through new initiatives or building upon existing efforts, applicants should show their dedication and results of a more inclusive rowing community.

How can my rowing program apply for the United We Row Impact Program grant?

The application period will open in early April and will close in Early May. The application will be shared via social media, our newsletter, and the USRowing website.

When will the winners of the grants be announced?

Following the application and interview process, successful grant recipients will be announced by the selection committee at the beginning of June.

Is there ongoing support for grant recipients?

Yes, grant recipients will participate in quarterly grantee cohort gatherings via Zoom and engage with USRowing to share progress, exchange ideas, and receive support as they implement and grow their diversity and inclusion initiatives.

What will the grants support?

USRowing is open to supporting organizations in creative ways to help make their programs more inclusive and to bring the many benefits of rowing to all. We expect to support initiatives such as transportation, swim lessons, adaptive program support, scholarships, coaches of color, and equipment.

Can organizations reapply if they are not selected in a given year?

Yes, organizations are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years if their proposals are not selected initially.

Why do I have to submit my Safe Sport Policy? What if I don’t have one?

Safe Sport Policies are required of all USRowing member organizations – and, on top of being a compliance issue, we want to partner with organizations that take the safety of athletes and their community seriously. We are interested not only in your policy, but how you put it into practice. Please review the template and adapt it for your organization here.

2024 United We Row Grantees

Atlanta Rowing Club

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Rowing Club is committed to welcoming athletes from all backgrounds and abilities. With this grant, they will expand programming to better support rowers with disabilities and provide travel assistance for Para rowers to compete in regattas.

Chicago Training Center

Chicago, Illinois

Focused on youth development, Chicago Training Center leverages rowing to help Chicago youth realize their athletic and academic potential. The grant will fund coaching, equipment, transportation, and swimming lessons to support this mission.

Green Lake Crew

Seattle, Washington

Green Lake Crew is committed to fostering an inclusive rowing community in the Seattle community. The grant will support their STEM to Stern program, which lowers costs and provides rowing experiences for young athletes in the area.

Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) Rowing Club

New Orleans, Louisiana

The first-ever co-ed rowing program at a Historically Black University, XULA Rowing Club will use the grant to cover regatta costs, travel for coaches, and recruitment events to help the program grow.

Oakland Strokes Rowing Club

Oakland, California

Providing rowing opportunities to youth from all backgrounds, Oakland Strokes Rowing Club will use this grant to fund a pilot program in partnership with the East Bay Regional Park District, allowing more youth to try rowing for the first time.

Recovery on Water

Chicago, Illinois

Recovery on Water supports breast cancer survivors through rowing. With this grant, the organization will expand its outreach and increase accessibility to its novice program, focusing on engaging a more diverse population of survivors.

Rockland Rowing Association

Rockland, New York

Rockland Rowing Association uses rowing to improve lives. This grant will help expand program capacity by funding new equipment and enabling the hiring and training of two adaptive rowing coaches.

San Miguel Academy Rowing

Newburgh, New York

Committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education, San Miguel Academy ensures that 100% of its students row. The grant will support scholarships, transportation, and other administrative costs of running their rowing program.

Waco Rowing Center

Waco, Texas

Waco Rowing Center provides opportunities for local youth and aims to bridge communities through rowing. The grant will help fund a van to transport youth athletes, making the sport more accessible by breaking down transportation barriers.